Taft deputies arrest 4 in Maricopa on drug, stolen property charges

Kern County Sheriff’s Deputies from the Taft Substation arrested four people in Maricopa Friday afternoon on illegal drug and stolen property charges.

Deputies conducted an investigation at 603 Main Street in Maricopa.

As a result of the investigation, Sgt. Marc Haiungs said, deputies seized approximately 4.6 grams total packaged weight of suspected methamphetamine and four rounds of .25 caliber ammunition.

Deputies arrested 34 year old Maricopa resident Brian Hawkins and 65 year old Maricopa resident Roxana Miers for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Deputies also arrested 56 year old Maricopa resident Richard Vanwinkle for possession of a controlled substance; being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition; and for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Hawkins, Miers, and Vanwinkle were transported to and booked into the Central Receiving Facility Jail. Deputies also located a stolen Yamaha off road motorcycle on the property. Deputies were able to determine the motorcycle had been in the possession of 19 year old Maricopa resident Shawn Dakota Smith earlier this month. At the time of today’s search, Smith was already in custody for charges unrelated to this incident. A supplemental booking was added to Smith charging him with being in possession of the stolen motorcycle.